Zhong-Xiang He, Essex Junction US

Zhong-Xiang He, Essex Junction, VT US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20080232025

MIM CAPACITOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A MIM capacitor device and method of making the device. The device includes an upper plate comprising one or more electrically conductive layers, a dielectric block comprising one or more dielectric layers, a lower plate comprising one or more electrically conductive layer; and a spreader plate comprising one or more electrically conductive layers.

SEMICONDUCTOR-INSULATOR-SILICIDE CAPACITOR - A semiconductor-insulator-silicide (SIS) capacitor is formed by depositing a thin silicon containing layer on a salicide mask dielectric layer, followed by lithographic patterning of the stack and metallization of the thin silicon containing layer and other exposed semiconductor portions of a semiconductor substrate. The thin silicon containing layer is fully reacted during metallization and consequently converted to a silicide alloy layer, which is a first electrode of a capacitor. The salicide mask dielectric layer is the capacitor dielectric. The second electrode of the capacitor may be a doped polycrystalline silicon containing layer, a doped single crystalline semiconductor region, or another doped polycrystalline silicon containing layer disposed on the doped polycrystalline silicon containing layer. The SIS insulator may further comprise other dielectric layers and conductive layers to increase capacitance per area.

10-23-2008

20080272458

POST LAST WIRING LEVEL INDUCTOR USING PATTERNED PLATE PROCESS - A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate having a metal wiring level within the substrate; a capping layer on and above the substrate; an insulative layer on and above the capping layer; a first layer of photo-imagable material on and above the insulative layer; a layer of oxide on and above the first layer of photo-imagable material; a second layer of photo-imagable material on and above the layer of oxide; an inductor; and a wire bond pad. A first portion of the inductor is in the second layer of photo-imagable material, the layer of oxide, the first layer of photo-imagable material, the insulative layer, and the capping layer. A second portion of the inductor is in only the second layer of photo-imagable material. The wire bond pad in only the first layer of photo-imagable material, the insulative layer, and the capping layer.

11-06-2008

20080277759

POST LAST WIRING LEVEL INDUCTOR USING PATTERNED PLATE PROCESS - A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate having a metal wiring level within the substrate; a capping layer on and above a top surface of the substrate; an insulative layer on and above a top surface of the capping layer; an inductor comprising a first portion in and above the insulative layer and a second portion only above the insulative layer; and a wire bond pad within the insulative layer, wherein the first portion the inductor has a height in a first direction greater than a height of the wire bond pad in the first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicularly directed from the top surface of substrate toward the insulative layer.

11-13-2008

20080277769

Package Integrated Soft Magnetic Film for Improvement In On-Chip Inductor Performance - An integrated circuit package includes an integrated circuit with one or more on-chip inductors. A package cover covers the integrated circuit. A magnetic material is provided between the integrated circuit and the package cover. The magnetic material may be a soft magnetic thin film. The magnetic material may be affixed to the package cover by an adhesive. The magnetic material may be formed directly on the package cover by one of deposition, sputtering or spraying. The magnetic material may be affixed to the integrated circuit.

11-13-2008

20080290458

POST LAST WIRING LEVEL INDUCTOR USING PATTERNED PLATE PROCESS - A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate having at least one metal wiring level within the substrate; an insulative layer on a surface of the substrate; an inductor within the insulative layer; and a wire bond pad within the insulative layer. The inductor and the wire bond pad are substantially co-planar. The inductor has a height greater than a height of the wire bond pad.

11-27-2008

20080293210

POST LAST WIRING LEVEL INDUCTOR USING PATTERNED PLATE PROCESS - A method of forming a semiconductor substrate. A substrate is provided. At least one metal wiring level is within the substrate. A first insulative layer is deposited on a surface of the substrate. A portion of a wire bond pad is formed within the first insulative layer. A second insulative layer is deposited on the first insulative layer. An iductor is within the second insulative layer using a patterned plate process. A remaining portion of the wire bond pad is formed within the second insulative layer, wherein at least a portion of the wire bond pad is substantially co-planar with the inductor.

11-27-2008

20080293233

POST LAST WIRING LEVEL INDUCTOR USING PATTERNED PLATE PROCESS - A method of a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided. At least one metal wiring level is within the substrate. An insulative layer is deposited on a surface of the substrate. An inductor is formed within the insulative layer using a patterned plate process. A wire bond pad is formed within the insulative layer, wherein at least a portion of the wire bond pad is substantially co-planar with the inductor.

11-27-2008

20080297975

VERTICAL PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR STRUCTURES - Vertical parallel plate (VPP) capacitor structures that utilize different spacings between conductive plates in different levels of the capacitor stack. The non-even spacings of the conductive plates in the capacitor stack decrease the susceptibility of the capacitor stack of the VPP capacitor to ESD-promoted failures. The non-even spacings may be material specific in that, for example, the spacings between adjacent conductive plates in different levels of the capacitor stack may be chosen based upon material failure mechanisms for plates containing different materials.

12-04-2008

20080308940

LATERAL CURRENT CARRYING CAPABILITY IMPROVEMENT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes (a) a substrate; (b) a first semiconductor device on the substrate; (c) N ILD (Inter-Level Dielectric) layers on the first semiconductor device, wherein N is an integer greater than one; and (d) an electrically conductive line electrically coupled to the first semiconductor device. The electrically conductive line is adapted to carry a lateral electric current in a lateral direction parallel to an interfacing surface between two consecutive ILD layers of the N ILD layers. The electrically conductive line is present in at least two ILD layers of the N ILD layers. The electrically conductive line does not comprise an electrically conductive via that is adapted to carry a vertical electric current in a vertical direction perpendicular to the interfacing surface.

12-18-2008

20090004809

Method of Integration of a MIM Capacitor with a Lower Plate of Metal Gate Material Formed on an STI Region or a Silicide Region Formed in or on the Surface of a Doped Well with a High K Dielectric Material - A MIM capacitor is formed on a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and including regions formed in the surface selected from a Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) region and a doped well having exterior surfaces coplanar with the semiconductor substrate. A capacitor lower plate is either a lower electrode formed on the STI region in the semiconductor substrate or a lower electrode formed by a doped well formed in the top surface of the semiconductor substrate that may have a silicide surface. A capacitor HiK dielectric layer is formed on or above the lower plate. A capacitor second plate is formed on the HiK dielectric layer above the capacitor lower plate. A dual capacitor structure with a top plate may be formed above the second plate with vias connected to the lower plate protected from the second plate by side wall spacers.

01-01-2009

20090039522

BIPOLAR AND CMOS INTEGRATION WITH REDUCED CONTACT HEIGHT - Disclosed is a method and structure for an integrated circuit structure that includes a plurality of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors and a plurality of vertical bipolar transistors positioned on a single substrate. The vertical bipolar transistors are taller devices than the CMOS transistors. In this structure, a passivating layer is positioned above the substrate, and between the vertical bipolar transistors and the CMOS transistors. A wiring layer is above the passivating layer. The vertical bipolar transistors are in direct contact with the wiring layer and the CMOS transistors are connected to the wiring layer by contacts extending through the passivating layer.

02-12-2009

20090052153

ON CHIP SHIELDING STRUCTURE FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS OR DEVICES ON A SUBSTRATE AND METHOD OF SHIELDING - An electromagnetic shielding structure that includes a conductive structure surrounding and accommodating a circuit or a circuit device arranged on a substrate. At least one feed through device is associated with the conductive structure and provides signals to the circuit or circuit device. The method includes forming a shielding structure so that the shielding structure at least one of is at least partially arranged within the substrate and surrounds the circuit or circuit device and associating at least one feed through device with the shielding structure.

02-26-2009

20090055790

DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR ON CHIP SHIELDING STRUCTURE FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS OR DEVICES ON A SUBSTRATE - A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit. The design structure comprises: a conductive structure surrounding and accommodating a circuit or a circuit device arranged on a substrate and at least one feed through capacitor and one transmission line associated with the conductive structure and providing the power supply and signals to the circuit or circuit device respectively. The design structure also comprises a shielding structure surrounding a circuit or a circuit device arranged on a substrate and at least one feed through capacitor or a transmission line arranged on a side of the shielding structure.

02-26-2009

20090065898

INTEGRATED BEOL THIN FILM RESISTOR - In the course of forming a resistor in the back end of an integrated circuit, an intermediate dielectric layer is deposited and a trench etched through it and into a lower dielectric layer by a controllable amount, so that the top of a resistor layer deposited in the trench is close in height to the top of the lower dielectric layer; the trench is filled and the resistor layer outside the trench is removed, after which a second dielectric layer is deposited. Vias passing through the second dielectric layer to contact the resistor then have the same depth as vias contacting metal interconnects in the lower dielectric layer. A tri-layer resistor structure is employed in which the resistive film is sandwiched between two protective layers that block diffusion between the resistor and BEOL ILD layers.

03-12-2009

20090102016

DESIGN STRUCTURE INCORPORATING VERTICAL PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR STRUCTURES - Design structure embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a vertical parallel plate capacitor structure with a first plurality of conductive plates and a second plurality of conductive plates having an overlying relationship with the first plurality of conductive plates. The first plurality of conductive plates are spaced apart by a first distance. The second plurality of conductive plates are spaced apart by a second distance different than the first distance

04-23-2009

20090106726

DESIGN STRUCTURES INCLUDING MEANS FOR LATERAL CURRENT CARRYING CAPABILITY IMPROVEMENT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A design structure including a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes (a) a substrate; (b) a first semiconductor device on the substrate; (c) N ILD (Inter-Level Dielectric) layers on the first semiconductor device, wherein N is an integer greater than one; and (d) an electrically conductive line electrically coupled to the first semiconductor device. The electrically conductive line is adapted to carry a lateral electric current in a lateral direction parallel to an interfacing surface between two consecutive ILD layers of the N ILD layers. The electrically conductive line is present in at least two ILD layers of the N ILD layers. The electrically conductive line does not comprise an electrically conductive via that is adapted to carry a vertical electric current in a vertical direction perpendicular to the interfacing surface.

04-23-2009

20090127652

STRUCTURE OF VERY HIGH INSERTION LOSS OF THE SUBSTRATE NOISE DECOUPLING - A structure includes a substrate comprising a region having a circuit or device which is sensitive to electrical noise. Additionally, the structure includes a first isolation structure extending through an entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region and a second isolation structure extending through the entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region.

05-21-2009

20090155993

TERMINAL PAD STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING SAME - Terminal pads and methods of fabricating terminal pads. The methods including forming a conductive diffusion barrier under a conductive pad in or overlapped by a passivation layer comprised of multiple dielectric layers including diffusion barrier layers. The methods including forming the terminal pads subtractively or by a damascene process.

06-18-2009

20090230555

TUNGSTEN LINER FOR ALUMINUM-BASED ELECTROMIGRATION RESISTANT INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - An underlying interconnect level containing underlying W vias embedded in a dielectric material layer are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A metallic layer stack comprising, from bottom to top, a low-oxygen-reactivity metal layer, a bottom transition metal layer, a bottom transition metal nitride layer, an aluminum-copper layer, an optional top transition metal layer, and a top transition metal nitride layer. The metallic layer stack is lithographically patterned to form at least one aluminum-based metal line, which constitutes a metal interconnect structure. The low-oxygen-reactivity metal layer enhances electromigration resistance of the at least one aluminum-based metal line since formation of compound between the bottom transition metal layer and the dielectric material layer is prevented by the low-oxygen-reactivity metal layer, which does not interact with the dielectric material layer.

METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR BALLAST RESISTOR - A method for fabricating a low-value resistor such as a ballast resistor for bipolar junction transistors. The resistor may be fabricated using layers of appropriate sheet resistance so as to achieve low resistance values in a compact layout. The method may rely on layers already provided by a conventional CMOS process flow, such as contact plugs and fully silicided (FUSI) metal gates.

10-08-2009

20090283840

METAL GATE INTEGRATION STRUCTURE AND METHOD INCLUDING METAL FUSE, ANTI-FUSE AND/OR RESISTOR - A semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the semiconductor structure provide a field effect device located and formed upon an active region of a semiconductor substrate and at least one of a fuse structure, an anti-fuse structure and a resistor structure located and formed at least in part simultaneously upon an isolation region laterally separated from the active region within the semiconductor substrate. The field effect device includes a gate dielectric comprising a high dielectric constant dielectric material and a gate electrode comprising a metal material. The at least one of the fuse structure, anti-fuse structure and resistor structure includes a pad dielectric comprising the same material as the gate dielectric, and optionally, also a fuse, anti-fuse or resistor that may comprise the same metal material as the gate electrode.

11-19-2009

20090303366

INTERLEVEL CONDUCTIVE LIGHT SHIELD - A CMOS image sensor pixel includes a conductive light shield, which is located between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. At least one via extends from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive CMOS image sensor pixel enables reduction of noise in the signal stored in the floating drain.

12-10-2009

20090305499

INTRALEVEL CONDUCTIVE LIGHT SHIELD - A conductive light shield is formed over a first dielectric layer of a via level in a metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield is covers a floating drain of an image sensor pixel cell. A second dielectric layer is formed over the conductive light shield and at least one via extending from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive image sensor pixel cell is less prone to noise due to the blockage of light over the floating drain by the conductive light shield.

12-10-2009

20090316313

DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR AN ON-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge device comprises a substrate and multiple metal level layers disposed on the substrate. Each metal level comprises more than one electrode formed therein and more than one via connecting with some of the electrodes in adjacent metal levels. The device further includes a gap formed about one of the metal level layers, wherein the gap is hermetically sealed to provide electro-static discharge protection for the integrated circuit.

12-24-2009

20090316314

DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR AN ON-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge structure comprises a first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein. A second dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is located above the first dielectric layer. At least one via connects the more than one electrode in the first dielectric layer with the more than one electrode in the second dielectric layer. A gap is formed through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the gap extends between two adjacent electrodes in both the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the gap to provide electro-static discharge protection on the integrated circuit.

12-24-2009

20090317970

METHOD FOR FORMING AN ON-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A method for forming an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device on an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment of the method, a capped first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is provided. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the capped first dielectric layer. A first hard mask dielectric layer is deposited over the second dielectric layer. A cavity trench is formed through the first hard mask dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to the first dielectric layer, wherein the cavity trench is formed in the first dielectric layer between two adjacent electrodes. At least one via is formed through the second dielectric layer about the cavity trench. A metal trench is formed around each of the at least one via. A release opening is formed over the cavity trench. A third dielectric layer is deposited over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the release opening to provide electro-static discharge protection.

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE INCLUDING A HIGH PERFORMANCE FET AND A HIGH VOLTAGE FET ON A SOI SUBSTRATE - A first field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over a first portion of a top semiconductor layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A second field effect transistor includes a portion of a buried insulator layer and a source region and a drain region located underneath the buried insulator layer. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer. The first field effect transistor may be a high performance device and the second field effect transistor may be a high voltage device. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.

02-11-2010

20100033395

INTEGRATED MILLIMETER WAVE ANTENNA AND TRANSCEIVER ON A SUBSTRATE - A semiconductor chip integrating a transceiver, an antenna, and a receiver is provided. The transceiver is located on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via provides electrical connection between the transceiver and the receiver located on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The antenna connected to the transceiver is located in a dielectric layer located on the front side of the substrate. The separation between the reflector plate and the antenna is about the quarter wavelength of millimeter waves, which enhances radiation efficiency of the antenna. An array of through substrate dielectric vias may be employed to reduce the effective dielectric constant of the material between the antenna and the reflector plate, thereby reducing the wavelength of the millimeter wave and enhance the radiation efficiency. A design structure for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design for such a semiconductor chip is also provided.

02-11-2010

20100035370

INTEGRATED MILLIMETER WAVE ANTENNA AND TRANSCEIVER ON A SUBSTRATE - A semiconductor chip integrating a transceiver, an antenna, and a receiver is provided. The transceiver is formed on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. At least one through substrate via provides electrical connection between the transceiver and the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The antenna, which is connected to the transceiver, is formed in a dielectric layer on the front side. The reflector plate is connected to the through substrate via, and is formed on the backside. The separation between the reflector plate and the antenna is about the quarter wavelength of millimeter waves, which enhances radiation efficiency of the antenna. An array of through substrate trenches may be formed and filled with a dielectric material to reduce the effective dielectric constant of the material between the antenna and the reflector plate, thereby reducing the wavelength of the millimeter wave and enhance the radiation efficiency.

02-11-2010

20100035390

METHOD OF FORMING A HIGH PERFORMANCE FET AND A HIGH VOLTAGE FET ON A SOI SUBSTRATE - A first portion of a top semiconductor layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is protected, while a second portion of the top semiconductor layer is removed to expose a buried insulator layer. A first field effect transistor including a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over the first portion of the top semiconductor layer is formed. A portion of the exposed buried insulator layer is employed as a gate dielectric for a second field effect transistor. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer.

02-11-2010

20100041203

Structure, Design Structure and Method of Manufacturing a Structure Having VIAS and High Density Capacitors - A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming at least a first trench and a second trench having different depths in a substrate, forming a capacitor in the first trench, and forming a via in the second trench. A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor arranged in a first trench formed in a substrate and a via arranged in a second trench formed in the substrate. The first and second trenches have different depths in the substrate.

02-18-2010

20100127395

METHODS FOR SELECTIVE REVERSE MASK PLANARIZATION AND INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES FORMED THEREBY - Methods for planarizing layers of a material, such as a dielectric, and interconnect structures formed by the planarization methods. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a top surface of multiple conductive features and on a top surface of a substrate between the conductive features. A portion of the first dielectric layer is selectively removed from the top surface of at least one of the conductive features without removing a portion the first dielectric layer that is between the conductive features. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the at least one of the conductive features and on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a top surface of the second dielectric layer is planarized. A layer operating as an etch stop is located between the top surface of at least one of the conductive features and the second dielectric layer.

05-27-2010

20100149723

METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR CREATION OF A METAL INSULATOR METAL CAPACITOR - The invention is directed to an improved capacitor that reduces edge defects and prevents yield failures. A first embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer adjacent an interface of a conductive layer with the insulator, while the second embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer on an insulator which is on a conductive layer.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT STRUCTURE INCORPORATING AN INDUCTOR, AN ASSOCIATED DESIGN METHOD AND AN ASSOCIATED DESIGN SYSTEM - Disclosed are embodiments of a circuit (e.g., an electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit), a design methodology and a design system. In the circuit, an ESD device is wired to a first metal level (e.g., M1). An inductor is formed in a second metal level (e.g., M5) above the first metal level and is aligned over and electrically connected in parallel to the ESD device by a single vertical via stack. The inductor is configured to nullify, for a given application frequency, the capacitance value of the ESD device. The quality factor of the inductor is optimized by providing, on a third metal level (e.g., M3) between the second metal level and the first metal level, a shield to minimize inductive coupling. An opening in the shield allows the via stack to pass through, trading off Q factor reduction for size-scaling and ESD robustness improvements.

07-08-2010

20100213547

SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING DEVICE EMPLOYING A QUANTUM DOT STRUCTURE - A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor island having at least one electrical dopant atom and encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material layer. At least two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer have a thickness less than

08-26-2010

20100237324

Semiconductor Switching Circuit Employing Quantum Dot Structures - A semiconductor circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices, each including a semiconductor islands having at least one electrical dopant atom and located on an insulator layer. Each semiconductor island is encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material portion. Conductive material portions, at least one of which abut two dielectric material portions that abut two distinct semiconductor islands, are located directly on the at least one dielectric material layer. At least one gate conductor is provided which overlies at least two semiconductor islands. Conduction across a dielectric material portion between a semiconductor island and a conductive material portion is effected by quantum tunneling. The conductive material portions and the at least one gate conductor are employed to form a semiconductor circuit having a low leakage current. A design structure for the semiconductor circuit is also provided.

09-23-2010

20100237467

Interconnect Structures, Methods for Fabricating Interconnect Structures, and Design Structures for a Radiofrequency Integrated Circuit - Interconnect structures that include a passive element, such as a thin film resistor or a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, methods for fabricating an interconnect structure that includes a passive element, and design structures embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, such as a radiofrequency integrated circuit. A top surface of a dielectric layer is recessed relative to a top surface of a conductive feature in the dielectric layer. The passive element is formed on the recessed top surface of the dielectric layer and includes a layer of a conductive material that is coplanar with, or below, the top surface of the conductive feature.

09-23-2010

20100237503

ELECTROMIGRATION RESISTANT ALUMINUM-BASED METAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A vertical metallic stack, from bottom to top, of an elemental metal liner, a metal nitride liner, a Ti liner, an aluminum portion, and a metal nitride cap, is formed on an underlying metal interconnect structure. The vertical metallic stack is annealed at an elevated temperature to induce formation of a TiAl

09-23-2010

20100297825

Passive Components in the Back End of Integrated Circuits - Passive components are formed in the back end by using the same deposition process and materials as in the rest of the back end. Resistors are formed by connecting in series individual structures on the nth, (n+1)th, etc levels of the back end. Capacitors are formed by constructing a set of vertical capacitor plates from a plurality of levels in the back end, the plates being formed by connecting electrodes on two or more levels of the back end by vertical connection members.

11-25-2010

20110018575

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING RELIABILITY OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - The present invention provides a method. The method includes operating a plurality of field-effect-transistors (FETs) under a first operation condition; reversing an operation direction for at least one of the plurality of FETs for a brief period of time; measuring a second operation condition of the one of the plurality of FETs during the brief period of time; computing a difference between the second operation condition and a reference operation condition; and providing a reliability indicator based upon the difference between the second and the reference operation conditions, wherein the plurality of FETs are employed in a single integrated circuit (IC).

01-27-2011

20110032659

COMPLIMENTARY METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITORS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A high density capacitor and low density capacitor simultaneously formed on a single wafer and a method of manufacture is provided. The method includes depositing a bottom plate on a dielectric material; depositing a low-k dielectric on the bottom plate; depositing a high-k dielectric on the low-k dielectric and the bottom plate; depositing a top plate on the high-k dielectric; and etching a portion of the bottom plate and the high-k dielectric to form a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor having a dielectric stack with a first thickness and a second MIM capacitor having a dielectric stack with a second thickness different than the first thickness.

02-10-2011

20110032660

COMPLIMENTARY METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITORS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A low capacitance density, high voltage MIM capacitor and the high density MIM capacitor and a method of manufacture are provided. The method includes depositing a plurality of plates and a plurality of dielectric layers interleaved with one another. The method further includes etching a portion of an uppermost plate of the plurality of plates while protecting other portions of the uppermost plate. The protected other portions of the uppermost plate forms a top plate of a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and the etching exposes a top plate of a second MIM capacitor.

02-10-2011

20110049674

INTERDIGITATED VERTICAL PARALLEL CAPACITOR - An interdigitated structure may include at least one first metal line, at least one second metal line parallel to the at least one first metal line and separated from the at least one first metal line, and a third metal line contacting ends of the at least one first metal line and separated from the at least one second metal line. The at least one first metal line does not vertically contact any metal via and at least one second metal line may vertically contact at least one metal via. Multiple layers of interdigitated structure may be vertically stacked. Alternately, an interdigitated structure may include a plurality of first metal lines and a plurality of second metal lines, each metal line not vertically contacting any metal via. Multiple instances of interdigitated structure may be laterally replicated and adjoined, with or without rotation, and/or vertically stacked to form a capacitor.

03-03-2011

20110127635

Integrated BEOL Thin Film Resistor - In the course of forming a resistor in the back end of an integrated circuit, an intermediate dielectric layer is deposited and a trench etched through it and into a lower dielectric layer by a controllable amount, so that the top of a resistor layer deposited in the trench is close in height to the top of the lower dielectric layer; the trench is filled and the resistor layer outside the trench is removed, after which a second dielectric layer is deposited. Vias passing through the second dielectric layer to contact the resistor then have the same depth as vias contacting metal interconnects in the lower dielectric layer. A tri-layer resistor structure is employed in which the resistive film is sandwiched between two protective layers that block diffusion between the resistor and BEOL ILD layers.

06-02-2011

20110132652

STRUCTURE OF VERY HIGH INSERTION LOSS OF THE SUBSTRATE NOISE DECOUPLING - A structure includes a substrate comprising a region having a circuit or device which is sensitive to electrical noise. Additionally, the structure includes a first isolation structure extending through an entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region and a second isolation structure extending through the entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region.

06-09-2011

20110221064

ELECTROMIGRATION RESISTANT ALUMINUM-BASED METAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A vertical metallic stack, from bottom to top, of an elemental metal liner, a metal nitride liner, a Ti liner, an aluminum portion, and a metal nitride cap, is formed on an underlying metal interconnect structure. The vertical metallic stack is annealed at an elevated temperature to induce formation of a TiAl

PLANAR CAVITY MEMS AND RELATED STRUCTURES, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND DESIGN STRUCTURES - A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower wiring layer on a substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of discrete wires from the lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming an electrode beam over the plurality of discrete wires. The at least one of the forming of the electrode beam and the plurality of discrete wires are formed with a layout which minimizes hillocks and triple points in subsequent silicon deposition.

12-29-2011

20120038037

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - Semiconductor structures with airgaps and/or metal linings and methods of manufacture are provided. The method of forming an airgap in a wiring level includes forming adjacent wires in a dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a masking layer coincident with the adjacent wire and forming a first layer on the masking layer to reduce a size of an opening formed in the masking layer between the adjacent wires. The method further includes removing exposed portions of the first layer and the dielectric layer to form trenches between the adjacent wires. The method further includes forming an interlevel dielectric layer upon the dielectric layer, where the interlevel dielectric layer is pinched off from filling the trenches so that an airgap is formed between the adjacent wires. A metal liner can also be formed in the trenches, prior to the formation of the airgap.

02-16-2012

20120061801

STRUCTURE, DESIGN STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A STRUCTURE HAVING VIAS AND HIGH DENSITY CAPACITORS - A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming at least a first trench and a second trench having different depths in a substrate, forming a capacitor in the first trench, and forming a via in the second trench. A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor arranged in a first trench formed in a substrate and a via arranged in a second trench formed in the substrate. The first and second trenches have different depths in the substrate.

03-15-2012

20120070979

METHOD OF ELECTROLYTIC PLATING AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE FABRICATION - The disclosure relates generally to semiconductor device fabrication, and more particularly to methods of electroplating used in semiconductor device fabrication. A method of electroplating includes: immersing an in-process substrate into an electrolytic plating solution to form a first metal layer on the in-process substrate; then performing a first chemical-mechanical polish to a liner on the in-process substrate followed by immersing the in-process substrate into the electrolytic plating solution to form a second metal layer on the first metal layer and the liner; and performing a second chemical-mechanical polish to the liner.

03-22-2012

20120086101

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND INTERCONNECT, AND METHOD OF FABRICATING SAME - The disclosure relates generally to integrated circuits (IC), IC interconnects, and methods of fabricating the same, and more particularly, high performance inductors. The IC includes at least one trench within a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate. The trench is conformally coated with a liner and seed layer, and includes an interconnect within. The interconnect includes a hard mask on the sidewalls of the interconnect.

04-12-2012

20120104546

STRUCTURE AND DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR HIGH-Q VALUE INDUCTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.

05-03-2012

20120132992

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE INCLUDING A HIGH PERFORMANCE FET AND A HIGH VOLTAGE FET ON AN SOI SUBSTRATE - A first field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over a first portion of a top semiconductor layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A second field effect transistor includes a portion of a buried insulator layer and a source region and a drain region located underneath the buried insulator layer. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer. The first field effect transistor may be a high performance device and the second field effect transistor may be a high voltage device. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.

05-31-2012

20120161299

INTERLEVEL CONDUCTIVE LIGHT SHIELD - A CMOS image sensor pixel includes a conductive light shield, which is located between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. At least one via extends from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive CMOS image sensor pixel enables reduction of noise in the signal stored in the floating drain.

06-28-2012

20120184081

PROCESS FOR SINGLE AND MULTIPLE LEVEL METAL-INSULATOR-METAL INTEGRATION WITH A SINGLE MASK - A method of fabricating a MIM capacitor is provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a dielectric layer formed on a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer, and patterning a mask on the second conductive layer. Exposed portions of the second conductive layer are removed to form an upper plate of a MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask. The upper plate is undercut so that edges of the upper plate are located under the mask. Exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are removed using the mask to form a capacitor dielectric layer and a lower plate of the MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask.

07-19-2012

20120187536

COMPLIMENTARY METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITORS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A high density capacitor and low density capacitor simultaneously formed on a single wafer and a method of manufacture is provided. The method includes depositing a bottom plate on a dielectric material; depositing a low-k dielectric on the bottom plate; depositing a high-k dielectric on the low-k dielectric and the bottom plate; depositing a top plate on the high-k dielectric; and etching a portion of the bottom plate and the high-k dielectric to form a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor having a dielectric stack with a first thickness and a second MIM capacitor having a dielectric stack with a second thickness different than the first thickness.

07-26-2012

20120205627

SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING CIRCUIT EMPLOYING QUANTUM DOT STRUCTURES - A semiconductor circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices, each including a semiconductor islands having at least one electrical dopant atom and located on an insulator layer. Each semiconductor island is encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material portion. Conductive material portions, at least one of which abut two dielectric material portions that abut two distinct semiconductor islands, are located directly on the at least one dielectric material layer. At least one gate conductor is provided which overlies at least two semiconductor islands. Conduction across a dielectric material portion between a semiconductor island and a conductive material portion is effected by quantum tunneling. The conductive material portions and the at least one gate conductor are employed to form a semiconductor circuit having a low leakage current. A design structure for the semiconductor circuit is also provided.

08-16-2012

20120218030

METHOD FOR MANAGING CIRCUIT RELIABILITY - Managing reliability of a circuit that includes a plurality of duplicate components, with less than all of the components being active at any time during circuit operation, where reliability is managed by operating, by the circuit, with a first set of components that includes a predefined number of components; selecting, without altering circuit performance and in accordance with a circuit reliability protocol, a second set of components with which to operate, including activating an inactive component and deactivating an active component of the first set of components; and operating, by the circuit, with the second set of components.

08-30-2012

20120261745

SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING DEVICE EMPLOYING A QUANTUM DOT STRUCTURE - A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor island having at least one electrical dopant atom and encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material layer. At least two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer have a thickness less than 2 nm to enable quantum tunneling effects. A source-side conductive material portion and a drain-side conductive material portion abuts the two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer. A gate conductor is located on the at least one dielectric material layer between the source-side conductive material portion and the drain-side conductive material portion. The potential of the semiconductor island responds to the voltage at the gate conductor to enable or disable tunneling current through the two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer. Design structures for the semiconductor device are also provided.

10-18-2012

20120266116

INTEGRATED MILLIMETER WAVE ANTENNA AND TRANSCEIVER ON A SUBSTRATE - A semiconductor chip integrating a transceiver, an antenna, and a receiver is provided. The transceiver is located on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via provides electrical connection between the transceiver and the receiver located on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The antenna connected to the transceiver is located in a dielectric layer located on the front side of the substrate. The separation between the reflector plate and the antenna is about the quarter wavelength of millimeter waves, which enhances radiation efficiency of the antenna. An array of through substrate dielectric vias may be employed to reduce the effective dielectric constant of the material between the antenna and the reflector plate, thereby reducing the wavelength of the millimeter wave and enhance the radiation efficiency. A design structure for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design for such a semiconductor chip is also provided.

10-18-2012

20120267794

STRUCTURE AND DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR HIGH-Q VALUE INDUCTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.

10-25-2012

20120275080

TAPERED VIA AND MIM CAPACITOR - A chip capacitor and interconnecting wiring is described incorporating a metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitor, tapered vias and vias coupled to one or both of the top and bottom electrodes of the capacitor in an integrated circuit. A design structure tangibly embodied in a machine readable medium is described incorporating computer readable code defining a MIM capacitor, tapered vias, vias and wiring levels in an integrated circuit.

11-01-2012

20120292741

INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES AND DESIGN STRUCTURES FOR A RADIOFREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - Interconnect structures that include a passive element, such as a thin film resistor or a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, methods for fabricating an interconnect structure that includes a passive element, and design structures embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, such as a radiofrequency integrated circuit. A top surface of a dielectric layer is recessed relative to a top surface of a conductive feature in the dielectric layer. The passive element is formed on the recessed top surface of the dielectric layer and includes a layer of a conductive material that is coplanar with, or below, the top surface of the conductive feature.

11-22-2012

20120319237

CORNER-ROUNDED STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - Corner-rounded structures and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming at least two conductive wires with rounded corners on a substrate. The method further includes forming a insulator film on the substrate and between the at least two conductive wires with the rounded corners.

12-20-2012

20120326798

ON-CHIP TRANSMISSION LINE STRUCTURES WITH BALANCED PHASE DELAY - A transmission wiring structure, associated design structure and associated method for forming the same. A structure is disclosed having: a plurality of wiring levels formed on a semiconductor substrate; a pair of adjacent first and second signal lines located in the wiring levels, wherein the first signal line comprises a first portion formed on a first wiring level and a second portion formed on a second wiring level; a primary dielectric structure having a first dielectric constant located between the first portion and a ground shield; and a secondary dielectric structure having a second dielectric constant different than the first dielectric constant, the secondary dielectric structure located between the second portion and the ground shield, and the second dielectric layer extending co-planar with the second portion and having a length that is substantially the same as the second portion.

12-27-2012

20130075913

STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING VERTICAL CRACK PROPAGATION - A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, includes vertically stacked layers on an insulator. Each of the layers includes a first dielectric insulator portion, a first metal conductor embedded within the first dielectric insulator portion, a first nitride cap covering the first metal conductor, a second dielectric insulator portion, a second metal conductor embedded within the second dielectric insulator portion, and a second nitride cap covering the second metal conductor. The first and second metal conductors form first vertically stacked conductor layers and second vertically stacked conductor layers. The first vertically stacked conductor layers are proximate the second vertically stacked conductor layers, and at least one air gap is positioned between the first vertically stacked conductor layers and the second vertically stacked conductor layers. An upper semiconductor layer covers the first vertically stacked conductor layers, the air gap and the second plurality of vertically stacked conductor layers.

03-28-2013

20130081240

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING COMPLIMENTARY METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITORS - A low capacitance density, high voltage MIM capacitor and the high density MIM capacitor and a method of manufacture are provided. The method includes depositing a plurality of plates and a plurality of dielectric layers interleaved with one another. The method further includes etching a portion of an uppermost plate of the plurality of plates while protecting other portions of the uppermost plate. The protected other portions of the uppermost plate forms a top plate of a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and the etching exposes a top plate of a second MIM capacitor.

04-04-2013

20130133919

TOP CORNER ROUNDING OF DAMASCENE WIRE FOR INSULATOR CRACK SUPPRESSION - A structure and method for fabricating the structure that provides a metal wire having a first height at an upper surface. An insulating material surrounding said metal wire is etched to a second height below said first height of said upper surface. The metal wire from said upper surface, after etching said insulating material, is planarized to remove sufficient material from a lateral edge portion of said metal wire such that a height of said lateral edge portion is equivalent to said second height of said insulating material surrounding said metal wire.

05-30-2013

20130134566

STRUCTURE OF VERY HIGH INSERTION LOSS OF THE SUBSTRATE NOISE DECOUPLING - A structure includes a substrate comprising a region having a circuit or device which is sensitive to electrical noise. Additionally, the structure includes a first isolation structure extending through an entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region and a second isolation structure extending through the entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region.

05-30-2013

20130171817

STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING VERTICAL CRACK PROPAGATION - A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, includes vertically stacked layers on an insulator. Each of the layers includes a first dielectric insulator portion, a first metal conductor embedded within the first dielectric insulator portion, a first nitride cap covering the first metal conductor, a second dielectric insulator portion, a second metal conductor embedded within the second dielectric insulator portion, and a second nitride cap covering the second metal conductor. The first and second metal conductors form first vertically stacked conductor layers and second vertically stacked conductor layers. The first vertically stacked conductor layers are proximate the second vertically stacked conductor layers, and at least one air gap is positioned between the first vertically stacked conductor layers and the second vertically stacked conductor layers. An upper semiconductor layer covers the first vertically stacked conductor layers, the air gap and the second plurality of vertically stacked conductor layers.

07-04-2013

20130175073

Thick On-Chip High-Performance Wiring Structures - Methods for fabricating a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure, BEOL wiring structures, and design structures for a BEOL wiring structure. The BEOL wiring may be fabricated by forming a first wire in a dielectric layer and annealing the first wire in an oxygen-free atmosphere. After the first wire is annealed, a second wire is formed in vertical alignment with the first wire. A final passivation layer, which is comprised of an organic material such as polyimide, is formed that covers an entirety of a sidewall of the second wire.

07-11-2013

20130187198

HETEROJUNCTION BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR WITH REDUCED SUB-COLLECTOR LENGTH, METHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND DESIGN STRUCTURE - A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) structure, method of manufacturing the same and design structure thereof are provided. The HBT structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a sub-collector region therein. The HBT structure further includes a collector region overlying a portion of the sub-collector region. The HBT structure further includes an intrinsic base layer overlying at least a portion of the collector region. The HBT structure further includes an extrinsic base layer adjacent to and electrically connected to the intrinsic base layer. The HBT structure further includes an isolation region extending vertically between the extrinsic base layer and the sub-collector region. The HBT structure further includes an emitter overlying a portion of the intrinsic base layer. The HBT structure further includes a collector contact electrically connected to the sub-collector region. The collector contact advantageously extends through at least a portion of the extrinsic base layer.

07-25-2013

20130200521

INDUCTORS AND WIRING STRUCTURES FABRICATED WITH LIMITED WIRING MATERIAL - Back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structures and inductors, methods for fabricating BEOL wiring structures and inductors, and design structures for a BEOL wiring structure or an inductor. A feature, which may be a trench or a wire, is formed that includes a sidewall intersecting a top surface of a dielectric layer. A surface layer is formed on the sidewall of the feature. The surface layer is comprised of a conductor and has a thickness selected to provide a low resistance path for the conduction of a high frequency signal.

08-08-2013

20130269974

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - Wire-bonded semiconductor structures using organic insulating material and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a metal wiring layer in an organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a protective layer over the organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a via in the organic insulator layer over the metal wiring layer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer in the via and on the protective layer. The method further includes patterning the metal layer with an etch chemistry that is damaging to the organic insulator layer.

10-17-2013

20130320536

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INCLUDING WIRE STRUCTURE, RELATED METHOD AND DESIGN STRUCTURE - An integrated circuit (IC), design structure, and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the IC includes: a substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate; a set of wire components disposed on the dielectric layer, the set of wire components including a first wire component disposed proximate a second wire component; a bond pad disposed on the first wire component, the bond pad including an exposed portion; a passivation layer disposed on the dielectric layer about a portion of the bond pad and the set of wire components, the passivation layer defining a wire structure via connected to the second wire component; and a wire structure disposed on the passivation layer proximate the bond pad and connected to the second wire component through the wire structure via.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INCLUDING SENSOR STRUCTURE, RELATED METHOD AND DESIGN STRUCTURE - An Integrated Circuit (IC) and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes: a substrate; a first metal layer disposed on the substrate and including a sensor structure configured to indicate a crack in a portion of the integrated circuit; and a second metal layer disposed proximate the first metal layer, the second metal layer including a wire component disposed proximate the sensor structure.

01-23-2014

20140021587

LOCAL WIRING FOR A BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTOR INCLUDING A SELF-ALIGNED EMITTER REGION - Aspects of the invention provide for a bipolar transistor of a self-aligned emitter. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming local wiring for a bipolar transistor with a self-aligned sacrificial emitter, including: performing an etch to remove the sacrificial emitter to form an emitter opening between two nitride spacers; depositing an in-situ doped emitter into the emitter opening; performing a recess etch to partially remove a portion of the in-situ doped emitter; depositing a silicon dioxide layer over the recessed in-situ doped emitter; planarizing the silicon dioxide layer via chemical mechanical polishing; etching an emitter trench over the recessed in-situ doped emitter; and depositing tungsten and forming a tungsten wiring within the emitter trench via chemical mechanical polishing.

01-23-2014

20140035169

TOP CORNER ROUNDING OF DAMASCENE WIRE FOR INSULATOR CRACK SUPPRESSION - A structure and method for fabricating the structure that provides a metal wire having a first height at an upper surface. An insulating material surrounding said metal wire is etched to a second height below said first height of said upper surface. The metal wire from said upper surface, after etching said insulating material, is planarized to remove sufficient material from a lateral edge portion of said metal wire such that a height of said lateral edge portion is equivalent to said second height of said insulating material surrounding said metal wire.

02-06-2014

20140097434

BACK-END-OF-LINE METAL-OXIDE-SEMICONDUCTOR VARACTORS - Device structures, design structures, and fabrication methods for a varactor. The device structure includes a first electrode formed on a dielectric layer, and a semiconductor body formed on the first electrode. The semiconductor body is comprised of a silicon-containing semiconductor material in an amorphous state or a polycrystalline state. The device structure further includes an electrode insulator formed on the semiconductor body and a second electrode formed on the electrode insulator.

04-10-2014

20140117420

SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE INCORPORATING A CONTACT SIDEWALL SPACER WITH A SELF-ALIGNED AIRGAP AND A METHOD OF FORMING THE SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE - Disclosed is a semiconductor structure incorporating a contact sidewall spacer with a self-aligned airgap and a method of forming the semiconductor structure. The structure comprises a semiconductor device (e.g., a two-terminal device, such as a PN junction diode or Schottky diode, or a three-terminal device, such as a field effect transistor (FET), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), etc.) and a dielectric layer that covers the semiconductor device. A contact extends vertically through the dielectric layer to a terminal of the semiconductor device (e.g., in the case of a FET, to a source/drain region of the FET). A contact sidewall spacer is positioned on the contact sidewall and incorporates an airgap. Since air has a lower dielectric constant than other typically used dielectric spacer or interlayer dielectric materials, the contact size can be increased for reduced parasitic resistance while minimizing corresponding increases in parasitic capacitance or the probability of shorts.

05-01-2014

20140131893

METHODS FOR SELECTIVE REVERSE MASK PLANARIZATION AND INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES FORMED THEREBY - Methods for planarizing layers of a material, such as a dielectric, and interconnect structures formed by the planarization methods. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a top surface of multiple conductive features and on a top surface of a substrate between the conductive features. A portion of the first dielectric layer is selectively removed from the top surface of at least one of the conductive features without removing a portion the first dielectric layer that is between the conductive features. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the at least one of the conductive features and on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a top surface of the second dielectric layer is planarized. A layer operating as an etch stop is located between the top surface of at least one of the conductive features and the second dielectric layer.

05-15-2014

20140151851

TAPERED VIA AND MIM CAPACITOR - A chip capacitor and interconnecting wiring is described incorporating a metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitor, tapered vias and vias coupled to one or both of the top and bottom electrodes of the capacitor in an integrated circuit. A design structure tangibly embodied in a machine readable medium is described incorporating computer readable code defining a MIM capacitor, tapered vias, vias and wiring levels in an integrated circuit.

06-05-2014

20140167219

Thick On-Chip High-Performance Wiring Structures - Methods for fabricating a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure, BEOL wiring structures, and design structures for a BEOL wiring structure. The BEOL wiring may be fabricated by forming a first wire in a dielectric layer and annealing the first wire in an oxygen-free atmosphere. After the first wire is annealed, a second wire is formed in vertical alignment with the first wire. A final passivation layer, which is comprised of an organic material such as polyimide, is formed that covers an entirety of a sidewall of the second wire.

06-19-2014

20140183753

FABRICATING POLYSILICON MOS DEVICES AND PASSIVE ESD DEVICES - A semiconductor fabrication is described, wherein a MOS device and a MEMS device is fabricated simultaneously in the BEOL process. A silicon layer is deposited and etched to form a silicon film for a MOS device and a lower silicon sacrificial film for a MEMS device. A conductive layer is deposited atop the silicon layer and etched to form a metal gate and a first upper electrode. A dielectric layer is deposited atop the conductive layer and vias are formed in the dielectric layer. Another conductive layer is deposited atop the dielectric layer and etched to form a second upper electrode and three metal electrodes for the MOS device. Another silicon layer is deposited atop the other conductive layer and etched to form an upper silicon sacrificial film for the MEMS device. The upper and lower silicon sacrificial films are then removed via venting holes.

07-03-2014

20140193970

ISOLATED WIRE STRUCTURES WITH REDUCED STRESS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN STRUCTURES - An integrated circuit (IC) including a set of isolated wire structures disposed within a layer of the IC, methods of manufacturing the same and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming adjacent wiring structures on a same level, with a space therebetween. The method further includes forming a capping layer over the adjacent wiring structures on the same level, including on a surface of a material between the adjacent wiring structures. The method further includes forming a photosensitive material over the capping layer. The method further includes forming an opening in the photosensitive material between the adjacent wiring structures to expose the capping layer. The method further includes removing the exposed capping layer.

07-10-2014

20140202746

COMPOSITE COPPER WIRE INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FORMING - Various embodiments include interconnect structures and methods of forming such structures. The interconnect structures can include a composite copper wire which includes at least two distinct copper sections. The uppermost copper section can have a thickness of approximately 1 micrometer or less, which inhibits surface roughening in that uppermost section, and helps to enhance cap adhesion with overlying layers.